We rely on revenue from ads to pay the bills. Please support our efforts by allowing the ads to show on the Nikon Cafe. Alternatively, consider becoming a site subscriber for $10 per year to remove all ads.

First Job Saturday (Picture Links Fixed)

Go to page

I'm shooting my first "job" on Saturday, a senior portrait session. The girl is one of my students (her mother teaches at the same school as me, so no weirdness). I have to say that I'm pretty nervous. I say "job" because I'm doing it for free (except prints).The shoot will be all outdoors. I'll probably take my 35, 50, 60, 180, as well as my legacy Jupiter 9. I also have an sb600 and two older flashes that I can use remotely via optical eye triggers...

Do you have any flash modifiers (umbrellas, soft boxes, etc.)? How about reflectors? Those would be nice to have. The biggest challenge with seniors is the posing and locations. Do you have a few locations scouted out? The best thing to do at this point is to just look around this forum and google searches and look at poses/locations to get ideas. Definitely stressful, but for free that shouldn't expect the world so to speak.

Do you have any flash modifiers (umbrellas, soft boxes, etc.)? How about reflectors? Those would be nice to have. The biggest challenge with seniors is the posing and locations. Do you have a few locations scouted out? The best thing to do at this point is to just look around this forum and google searches and look at poses/locations to get ideas. Definitely stressful, but for free that shouldn't expect the world so to speak.

All I have is a dish reflector that someone will have to hold. No diffusers/umbrellas. I was hoping to use bounce cards and snoots and dial down as needed.

And yes...I do have some spots in mind. Three locations within 5 miles of each other. One abandoned warehouse with a cool fire escape. One park with glass high-rises all around that provide some cool light. And another park with some cool sculptures and some big trees.

Fist off, you have way too much gear, take 2 lenses, that's it. Don't ask me which, pick the 2 you like and take them.

Do you personally know the model? if not , then you need to spend at least 10 min talking to him/her so you can develop a working environment, and the model can relax, otherwise you run the risk of the "deer caught in headlights" look.

If you're outdoors, you have pently of light, just make sure the model is not standing directly under harsh light, look for shaded areas, and use one flash as background fill light, and a reflector for the model.

Fist off, you have way too much gear, take 2 lenses, that's it. Don't ask me which, pick the 2 you like and take them.

Do you personally know the model? if not , then you need to spend at least 10 min talking to him/her so you can develop a working environment, and the model can relax, otherwise you run the risk of the "deer caught in headlights" look.

If you're outdoors, you have pently of light, just make sure the model is not standing directly under harsh light, look for shaded areas, and use one flash as background fill light, and a reflector for the model.

Thanks....this is the kind of advice I needed. Yes...I know the girl very well (and her mother too, who will also be there). I did just borrow some umbrellas (it's nice to have a fully equipped photo department downstairs from me), so I may take one shoot through.

I think I will take your advice and bring only three lenses (I want the Jupiter, but can't really rely on it for dedicated use). I will probably take the 180/2.8 and the 35/1.8 along with the Jupiter (it gives great color and background).

I agree on limiting the lenses you take. You want to be spending time on composition and posing, not on wondering which of your lenses you should be using. I'd probably take the 50 and the 180. The 35 isn't as flattering as the 50 for portraits.

I agree on limiting the lenses you take. You want to be spending time on composition and posing, not on wondering which of your lenses you should be using. I'd probably take the 50 and the 180. The 35 isn't as flattering as the 50 for portraits.

My only suggestion is to take a third person with you. I never shoot senior girls without a third person. I usually have them hold the off camera flash. All you would have to do is move her hair and accidently touch her and you're in trouble. You never know.

My only suggestion is to take a third person with you. I never shoot senior girls without a third person. I usually have them hold the off camera flash. All you would have to do is move her hair and accidently touch her and you're in trouble. You never know.

One of the reasons that I asked this girl in particular to be my guinea pig is the good relationship I have with her. There is no way that she would ever say anything like that. Besides that...I teach with her mom. Besides that...her mom is coming with us.

One of the reasons that I asked this girl in particular to be my guinea pig is the good relationship I have with her. There is no way that she would ever say anything like that. Besides that...I teach with her mom. Besides that...her mom is coming with us.

Since you will be outside, I think you can back up enough with the 50 to show some environment. But, the 35 might be a bit easier for that purpose. Either way, I wouldn't take both the 35 and the 50 - I'd pick one or the other.

Since you will be outside, I think you can back up enough with the 50 to show some environment. But, the 35 might be a bit easier for that purpose. Either way, I wouldn't take both the 35 and the 50 - I'd pick one or the other.

One thing you must do with portraits is get the eyes in sharp focus. Sometimes it's difficult to get both focused but at the very least get one nailed sharply.
Watch out for distracting backgrounds such as branches, pipes etc. It's easy to not to notice the background when you're concentrating on getting everything else right.

One thing you must do with portraits is get the eyes in sharp focus. Sometimes it's difficult to get both focused but at the very least get one nailed sharply.
Watch out for distracting backgrounds such as branches, pipes etc. It's easy to not to notice the background when you're concentrating on getting everything else right.